Broncos RB Jaleel McLaughlin (quad) was listed as a full participant on Wednesday's practice report. He's on track to return for Saturday's game vs. the Bengals. RB Audric Estime impressed with McLaughlin out last week, but it was McLaughlin who was emerging as the best fantasy bet in Denver's backfield before the quad injury. This is a tough backfield to project in Week 17, making it a situation to avoid in fantasy lineups.

Despite RB Jaleel McLaughlin's absence, the Broncos stuck with a three-man committee backfield in Thursday night's loss to the Chargers. RB Audric Estime led the way with nine carries for 48 yards and a score. But he played just 13 offensive snaps -- 20 fewer than RB Javonte Williams and three more than RB Blake Watson. Williams finished with four carries and a team-high 11 targets, while Watson tallied four carries and two targets. The Broncos even used WR Marvin Mims in the backfield for five snaps.

Broncos RB Tyler Badie (back) is out for Sunday’s game vs. the Raiders. We’ll see if rookie RB Blake Watson makes his debut, but RBs Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin figure to handle the vast majority of the backfield work.

The Broncos are sending rookie RB Audric Estime to IR with an ankle injury. The Athletic's Nick Kosmider says only that Estime will "miss at least four games," which makes it sound like a shorter-term issue.